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moshkito 
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 04 2007
Location: Grok City
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Points: 16355
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 Posted: September 23 2010 at 20:35 |
 m2thek wrote:
1. Writing a review as one paragraph |
It can be done, but it dang better be so well written in that paragraph that you are going to spend 10 years trying to figure out what each word and letter meant! 
m2thek wrote:
2. Writing a review by ONLY comparing the sound of the music to another band or album. |
My biggest pet peeve ... specially when that band is "Progressive" or "Prog" ... and those 2 bands are impossible to compare to. On top of it, those two bands have massive hit records that we want duplicated ... and we won't like it either!
m2thek wrote:
3. Breaking down every single song on an album |
I rarely do that ... and the first time I did it was on the recent review of KC's first album I just posted. And why did I do that you ask? ... because Atomic's review was very good and I felt he deserved the compliment.
Gosh ... I was just thinking that if we did this on so many of these prog albums with 4 and 5 minute cuts and neo-prog design music with plasticene and bacon ... that the reviews would never get done ... yeah ... 14 songs at 3 minutes each ... how progressive of them! 
In general, and it is the same thing with my poetry and film reviews, I don't use the same format, since I write from the heart and what is inside and you can only map the heart with a picture at the doctor! Just like my postings in this board ... I tend to be all over the place and 3 or 4 people hate it!  ...
And one last thing that should be added here ... the review that is not a review but instead is some kind of writing about an idea in music that doesn't exist. Experience I can handle ... but ideas can get boring and trying sometimes, specially when they are "prog"!
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Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com
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JLocke
Prog Reviewer
Joined: November 18 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 4900
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Posted: October 07 2010 at 03:06 |
Conor Fynes wrote:
progkidjoel wrote:
Epignosis wrote:
Don't read reviews that bug you.
[/thread]
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Dean
Special Collaborator
Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout
Joined: May 13 2007
Location: Europe
Status: Offline
Points: 37575
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Posted: October 07 2010 at 03:18 |
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What?
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moshkito
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 04 2007
Location: Grok City
Status: Offline
Points: 16355
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Posted: October 07 2010 at 20:17 |
To a point.
In the end, what is going to happen is that Snow Dog will never read what I write, for example ... and sooner or later you have board issues that affect the quality of the work. In general, there is no place in the "collaborators" and "reviewers" for that ... as we end up hurting the quality of the board? We had the same thing in a poetry board ... when the lack of respect and appreciation stops, the whole thing starts falling apart because the priority is not the work ... it's the individuals that would rather press the buttons!
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Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com
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Epignosis
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: December 30 2007
Location: Raeford, NC
Status: Offline
Points: 32482
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Posted: October 07 2010 at 20:20 |
moshkito wrote:
In the end, what is going to happen is that Snow Dog will never read what I write, for example
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I think we've gone past that point.
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Slartibartfast
Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / In Memoriam
Joined: April 29 2006
Location: Atlantais
Status: Offline
Points: 29625
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Posted: October 07 2010 at 22:09 |
moshkito wrote:
m2thek wrote:
1. Writing a review as one paragraph |
It can be done, but it dang better be so well written in that paragraph that you are going to spend 10 years |
It's OK as long as it is a really really long one.
By the way, serious assistance here for the guilty parties. You have to manually put in a space between paragraphs (hit enter button twice). Yeah, I know, it's a pain in the ass, but it works.
Edited by Slartibartfast - October 07 2010 at 22:10
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Released date are often when it it impacted you but recorded dates are when it really happened... 
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npjnpj
Forum Senior Member
Joined: December 05 2007
Location: Germany
Status: Offline
Points: 2720
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 08:28 |
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I have, in the past, actually taken long one-paragraph reviews and pasted them into Word, replacing every period with a period followed by a paragraph sign. Makes it much easier.
My favourite peeve about reviews concern the ones where the reviewer actually listens with a stopwatch and informs everybody when each solo, break, change, or whatever occurs, down to the very second of every track.
What a strange way to listen to an album. I just can't translate that to usable information at all.
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AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
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Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Australia
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Points: 14256
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 09:49 |
moshkito wrote:
m2thek wrote:
[QUOTE=m2thek] 3. Breaking down every single song on an album |
I rarely do that ... and the first time I did it was on the recent review of KC's first album I just posted. And why did I do that you ask? ... because Atomic's review was very good and I felt he deserved the compliment.
Gosh ... I was just thinking that if we did this on so many of these prog albums with 4 and 5 minute cuts and neo-prog design music with plasticene and bacon ... that the reviews would never get done ... yeah ... 14 songs at 3 minutes each ... how progressive of them! |
Thx for the compliment there - I enjoy writing those reviews too, tho admittedly have been quiet lately - I must get back into it soon....
Cheers Moshkito
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Vibrationbaby
Forum Senior Member
Joined: February 13 2004
Status: Offline
Points: 6898
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 10:28 |
m2thek wrote:
Before I get started, I want to say that I'm not trying to tell people how to write their reviews, or saying that reviews that do these things are necessarily bad. These are merely things that bug me with reviews that I see constantly. Feel free to add your own, or tell me why I'm crazy for letting these bother me
1. Writing a review as one paragraph
This is the biggest offender stylistically. Not even for reviews, but really any post on forums in general. This just makes everything really difficult to read, and gives the impression that there's no organization to a review, but simply random thoughts that came to the reviewer.
2. Writing a review by ONLY comparing the sound of the music to another band or album.
I think up to a point, comparisons to another band can be useful to the reader. For example, if the review says "If you like Popular Band X, then you should try this," then a pretty good amount of people who read the review will know if this music will or won't fit their tastes. But if the entirety of a review is comparisons to another band, it just seems lazy to not even attempt to describe the music for its own merit. Even if the comparisons are accurate, I think its useful to read what the music is like, rather than who it is like.
3. Breaking down every single song on an album
Whether this is the entire review, or just a portion, this one always baffles me. I really enjoy reading musical analysis, but when I read a review, the purpose is to find out if I will enjoy an album or not. While this could satisfy that purpose, it's a really roundabout way to do it, and isn't nearly as effective as describing the music in a general sense. Also, I think when reviews do this, it takes away the surprise from a first time listener (if they choose to read it). I don't think anyone would describe every chapter of a book in a review, so I don't understand why this gets done on this site so much. This also tends to make reviews extremely long.
Those are the big 3 that I notice a lot. I'll add more if I see them. |
I completely agree with # 3. Sometimes they are not really reviewing that album but merely describing the music. I just try to go for some song highlights myself. I go more for overall concept. My Vangelis Albedo 0.39 & Jean Michel Jarre En Attendant Cousteau review come to mind.
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Catcher10
Forum Senior Member
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Joined: December 23 2009
Location: Emerald City
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Points: 17514
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 12:44 |
I absolutely pay no attention to the rating number.....I just read the commentary and whether 4 sentences long or 4 paragraphs long is not an issue for me.
Its the CONTENT that makes me want to listen to an album. And also a 1 or 2 to me means nothing since based on the definition it only means,,,,'you should get this album only if you are a completeist'.
I don't interpret 1/2 as krapp/trash/blowup/use as cup coaster.....to me there is no rating for that in the PA.
Content is what I am looking for......now the quality of the content is another topic.
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Easy Livin
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator / Retired Admin
Joined: February 21 2004
Location: Scotland
Status: Offline
Points: 15585
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 12:52 |
npjnpj wrote:
My favourite peeve about reviews concern the ones where the reviewer actually listens with a stopwatch and informs everybody when each solo, break, change, or whatever occurs, down to the very second of every track.
What a strange way to listen to an album. I just can't translate that to usable information at all.
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Agreed. I think such reviews come about when a reviewer is listening to an album for the first time, and writing the review as he/she listens.
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JLocke
Prog Reviewer
Joined: November 18 2007
Status: Offline
Points: 4900
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 13:33 |
Easy Livin wrote:
npjnpj wrote:
My favourite peeve about reviews concern the ones where the reviewer actually listens with a stopwatch and informs everybody when each solo, break, change, or whatever occurs, down to the very second of every track.
What a strange way to listen to an album. I just can't translate that to usable information at all.
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Agreed. I think such reviews come about when a reviewer is listening to an album for the first time, and writing the review as he/she listens. |
I've done that in the past. It's just a way to keep things interesting as I describe the effect the album has on me. I never review albums on my first listen. If people don't like how I go about doing the review, they are welcome to ignore my work.
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Finnforest
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Joined: February 03 2007
Location: .
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Points: 16913
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 14:19 |
JLocke wrote:
Easy Livin wrote:
npjnpj wrote:
My favourite peeve about reviews concern the ones where the reviewer actually listens with a stopwatch and informs everybody when each solo, break, change, or whatever occurs, down to the very second of every track.
What a strange way to listen to an album. I just can't translate that to usable information at all.
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Agreed. I think such reviews come about when a reviewer is listening to an album for the first time, and writing the review as he/she listens. |
I've done that in the past. It's just a way to keep things interesting as I describe the effect the album has on me. I never review albums on my first listen. If people don't like how I go about doing the review, they are welcome to ignore my work. |
And in fact, one of our most prolific and treasured reviewers describes songs in that manner....and I know for a fact that a lot of our members love his reviews. So there's probably fans of every style. As a wise collab once noted, just be yourself and write honestly and respectfully, and don't write more than you need to make your feelings known. For most people, the more they write, the better they get. 
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moshkito
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 04 2007
Location: Grok City
Status: Offline
Points: 16355
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 14:22 |
Hi,
Well .. it does say "Pet Peeves" on the thread discussion!  |
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Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com
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Catcher10
Forum Senior Member
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Joined: December 23 2009
Location: Emerald City
Status: Offline
Points: 17514
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 14:36 |
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^ Then I guess my "pet peeve" is the use of 1/2 stars to say this is horrible/krapp/trash/worthless.....
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AtomicCrimsonRush
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: July 02 2008
Location: Australia
Status: Offline
Points: 14256
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 16:32 |
Easy Livin wrote:
npjnpj wrote:
My favourite peeve about reviews concern the ones where the reviewer actually listens with a stopwatch and informs everybody when each solo, break, change, or whatever occurs, down to the very second of every track.
What a strange way to listen to an album. I just can't translate that to usable information at all.
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Agreed. I think such reviews come about when a reviewer is listening to an album for the first time, and writing the review as he/she listens. |
For me if u are reviewing an album its best to have it going sometimes as u review and then u may hear a piece u adore and u check and see that it is happening at 3:25 so u post that on the review. It does 2 things for me, 1. it shows the passion of the reviewer and
2. is a great reference point for where the reviewer is gaining most enjoyment...i have occasionally reviewed albums this way - its fun and gives a depth that other reviews may lack..
on the subject of reviewing every song on the album - i do this often as i gain most enjoyment of reviewing this way, and i usually read reviews most that do this as i want to know whats on the album as a whole, not read one paragraph of responses. the music is most important and the quality of every track. if a reviewer is stating every track is a compelling brilliant prog experience i will check it ou... reading reviews here lead me to Magma, Triumvirat, IQ, Spocks Beard, and Transatlantic, so I am grateful, and there are heaps of others. I will admit i only mainly read reviews from collabs, or PRs rather than the others, i guess i trust their judgement and they are rarely dishonest fanboys.
thats a segue to
My pet Peeve
people who review every album with either 1 stars
or
5 stars
its obvious they cant be trusted and many do it here to bump up their favourite artist or vice versa rather than giving a true indication of the quality of artists work. theres no way every album of an artist is a masterpiece - even the best have down times.
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SaltyJon
Special Collaborator
Honorary Collaborator
Joined: February 08 2008
Location: Location
Status: Offline
Points: 28772
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 16:33 |
Slartibartfast wrote:
moshkito wrote:
m2thek wrote:
1. Writing a review as one paragraph |
It can be done, but it dang better be so well written in that paragraph that you are going to spend 10 years |
It's OK as long as it is a really really long one.
By the way, serious assistance here for the guilty parties. You have to manually put in a space between paragraphs (hit enter button twice). Yeah, I know, it's a pain in the ass, but it works.
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Alternatively, as the tips tell you, you can put <p> at the end of a paragraph then the next word will start a new one. 
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Catcher10
Forum Senior Member
VIP Member
Joined: December 23 2009
Location: Emerald City
Status: Offline
Points: 17514
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 18:53 |
AtomicCrimsonRush wrote:
Easy Livin wrote:
npjnpj wrote:
My favourite peeve about reviews concern the ones where the reviewer actually listens with a stopwatch and informs everybody when each solo, break, change, or whatever occurs, down to the very second of every track.
What a strange way to listen to an album. I just can't translate that to usable information at all.
|
Agreed. I think such reviews come about when a reviewer is listening to an album for the first time, and writing the review as he/she listens. |
For me if u are reviewing an album its best to have it going sometimes as u review and then u may hear a piece u adore and u check and see that it is happening at 3:25 so u post that on the review. It does 2 things for me, 1. it shows the passion of the reviewer and
2. is a great reference point for where the reviewer is gaining most enjoyment...i have occasionally reviewed albums this way - its fun and gives a depth that other reviews may lack..
on the subject of reviewing every song on the album - i do this often as i gain most enjoyment of reviewing this way, and i usually read reviews most that do this as i want to know whats on the album as a whole, not read one paragraph of responses. the music is most important and the quality of every track. if a reviewer is stating every track is a compelling brilliant prog experience i will check it ou... reading reviews here lead me to Magma, Triumvirat, IQ, Spocks Beard, and Transatlantic, so I am grateful, and there are heaps of others. I will admit i only mainly read reviews from collabs, or PRs rather than the others, i guess i trust their judgement and they are rarely dishonest fanboys.
thats a segue to
My pet Peeve
people who review every album with either 1 stars
or
5 stars
its obvious they cant be trusted and many do it here to bump up their favourite artist or vice versa rather than giving a true indication of the quality of artists work. theres no way every album of an artist is a masterpiece - even the best have down times. |
That's why I don't pay attention to the rating.....
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ExittheLemming
Forum Senior Member
Joined: October 19 2007
Location: Penal Colony
Status: Offline
Points: 11415
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Posted: October 08 2010 at 23:12 |
Pet peeves eh?.... Those reviews that award 5 stars for erm...cultural significance e.g. Dark Side of the Moon and In the Court of the Crimson King are very good but deeply flawed albums if appraised on their musical merit irrespective of genre. Some of said reviews end up by stating: ' some really dodgy tracks but for its contribution to Prog *****  Those reviews that award 1 star for erm...the author's ignorance e.g. this Keith Emerson solo album is not Prog and does not sound like Tarkus and does not have any tracks longer than 4 minutes * (the artist being listed in the crossover section to boot)
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moshkito
Forum Senior Member
Joined: January 04 2007
Location: Grok City
Status: Offline
Points: 16355
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Posted: October 12 2010 at 18:18 |
JLocke wrote:
I've done that in the past. It's just a way to keep things interesting as I describe the effect the album has on me. I never review albums on my first listen. If people don't like how I go about doing the review, they are welcome to ignore my work. |
I don't think that there is a problem with the review on the first look/listen. As a film reviewer, you only get that one chance and you write the review, so doing the same with music is not an issue for me ... but it does require one thing that I am not sure a lot of reviewers here are capable of doing ... and that is ... the world is out there, and it's ideas and designs for "progressive" shouldn't exist ... so you can listen to it with fresh ears.
For me, listening to any music is not about me chasing down this progressive ideal or band or that something or other band or that romantic composer ... and when you go into it as an "experience" ... rather than comparing it to what you have heard before ... in the end, your experience with music will be limited by the filters you have imposed. Same with film ... and you're gonna tell me that all 6 Jason films are good ... duh, duh, duh ... simply because it is this or that ... To keep it fresh and interesting you have to let go of the idealism, to appreciate the moments in time ... and this is where a lot of "progressive" music nowadays ismostly idealistic and copy, and not innovative. I've given them all the same year I did for PF and KC and AD2 and FZ ... !
The open ear is far more adventurous, imaginative and enjoyable. You discover new worlds. You discover new paints. You discover new images. ... and they are not "yours" ... they come from the music, or the film ... and this is the material that makes for a great "review" of the work. That is the freshness that film lives for, and so many arts try hard to make these images come alive so you can see it as well ... and the best music in history? ... it all does just that! It is not just a lyric!.
And it is the main reason why it is so bizarre to me when people say I only listen to metal, or prog or this or that ... they are limiting their experience. It's their choice of course, but being a reviewer, your preference is NOT what the review is about ... the only preference I use is ... I don't do reviews for top ten or for any top money films. There are plenty of those opinions every where already!
Edited by moshkito - October 12 2010 at 18:34
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Music is not just for listening ... it is for LIVING ... you got to feel it to know what's it about! Not being told!
www.pedrosena.com
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Pet Peeves I Have With Reviews
